201: Sports Lessons Which Instruct Leaders

<p>The classic half-time locker room Churchillian oratory from the coach, whipping the team into a frenzy for the coming onslaught is now gathering dust in Hollywood’s archives.  Today’s most successful coaches are masters of human psychology, combining insight with superb communication skills.  What about leaders in business?  Conferences, off-sites, retreats are supplying substantial income for sports coaches, as they induct business folk into the mysteries of motivation.  Everyone heads back to work feeling fired up, but they often fail to adopt what they have been told, because they were not clear on how to do it. </p> <p> </p> <p>I originally came to Japan in 1979 to study karate, have competed internationally and have been a national coach for Australia representing my country.  In my experience, the Japanese model of sports leadership is antiquated, excelling in only one area - “<em>gaman</em>” (perseverance).  The Japanese really know how to <em>gaman</em>.  They do love technology, so lots of equipment in sports training, but the leadership soft skills are still underdeveloped.</p> <p>No great proliferation of sports coaches becoming gurus on leadership for business audiences here.  Japan’s feudal militaristic regimes for leadership spill over into business from the domestic sports world.  University “club” members know that age seniority, group dominance, rigid hierarchy and the suppression of the individual are the key leadership lessons learnt at varsity.  Not a sparkling sport’s blueprint for leadership in the modern world of business.</p> <p> </p> <p>In 1988, I attended a luncheon speech by John Ribot, the CEO of the new Brisbane Broncos rugby league football club.  He had been a top player and was launching this new club, which today is a powerhouse.  By that time, I had been a karate instructor for 17 years, had studied under Japanese karate masters for 4 years in Brisbane and had studied in Japan for 6 years.  I was a National Level 2 Coach, graduated from the Australia Coaching Council programme